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From Buffalo linebacker Kiko Alonso's torn ACL, to Robert Mathis' suspension from the Colts, at least six teams head into training camp later this month looking to replace a starting linebacker, for just a few games, or for the entire season.

Their replacements might not be familiar names yet, but get used to hearing about Preston Brown or Bjoern Werner could be come September. USA TODAY Sports looks at the recent spate of linebacker losses, and the most likely replacements.

Alonso suffered a torn ACL this week while working out in Oregon, where he played in college before the Bills drafted him in 2013. Unlike some other teams, who could use their offseason practices and minicamps to begin looking for a replacement, the Bills will have to wait until training camp to determine who will start at weakside linebacker, the position Alonso was to play after the team decided this spring to move him from middle linebacker.

Whaley: "We look forward to his return with his style of play that made him one of the @NFL’s outstanding rookies in 2013"

The replacements: Among the players on the roster with experience at weakside linebacker are veteran free agent addition Keith Rivers, who spent the spring as the first-team strongside linebacker, and Nigel Bradham, who started two games for the Bills last year. An intriguing name is rookie Preston Brown, a third-round pick from Louisville. Brown was a middle linebacker in college, but was already proving to be versatile in spring practices.

Lee suffered a torn ACL on May 27 during the Cowboys' first Organized Team Activity practice, a crushing blow for the unquestioned leader of the Dallas defense. But the Cowboys have had survive without Lee before, and he's never been able to play a full 16-game season. He missed 10 games in 2012, and five games last year.

The replacements: The Cowboys have not settled on Lee's replacement, though Justin Durant practiced with the first-team defense, but second-year linebacker DeVonte Holloman and rookie Anthony Hitchens should get a shot to compete for that job once the Cowboys arrive in Oxnard, Calif. The longshot is former Oakland Raider Rolando McClain, for whom the Cowboys traded last week. McClain hasn't played since 2012, but if he is back in shape and stays out of trouble, he could help solve the Cowboys' middle linebacker problem.

The missing: NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco

San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman is carted off the field during the second half of the 2013 NFC Championship game.(Photo: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports)

Bowman suffered a gruesome injury in the NFC Championship game against Seattle in January, and though he is off crutches, he won't be able to return to the Niners' defense until at least mid-season. That leaves San Francisco looking for another inside linebacker to play alongside Patrick Willis, who is expected to assume some of Bowman's middle linebacker duties in Bowman's absence.

The replacement: The job of replacing Bowman is Michael Wilhoite's to lose. Wilhoite, a 27-year-old former United Football League player, played in every game last year and started two when Willis was out with a hand injury, took the majority of the first-team reps alongside Willis in offseason practices and during the team's mandatory minicamp, and he expects to remain atop the depth chart when camp opens. But the competition is far from over: The Niners added veteran Nick Moody in free agency and used a third-round pick on Chris Borland, and both will be in the mix.

The Colts' sack king – Mathis had 19.5 sacks in 2013 – was hit with a four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL's performance enhancing drug policy when the NFL didn't buy his explanation that he tested positive for a fertility drug. Mathis will miss games against Denver, Philadelphia, Jacksonville and Tennessee.

The replacement: Bjoern Werner was a first-round pick last year, but he started only one game and had only 2.5 sacks. After a full offseason to bulk up while working out with the Colts' training staff, Werner appears ready for the bigger role he must assume during Mathis' suspension.

Weatherspoon wasn't even participating in practices when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon last month – he was simply doing conditioning work under the supervision of the team's medical staff as part of his rehab from the knee and foot injuries that limited him to just seven games last year. Weatherspoon's injury is a setback for the Falcons' defense that was counting on the return of their best linebacker, and also hurts Weatherspoon as he heads into the final year of his contract.The replacement: Here's the good news for the Falcons – at least replacing Weatherspoon isn't a new problem. The Falcons played two undrafted rookies at linebacker last year – Paul Worrilow and Joplo Bartu, and now both look like they'll be starting this year in the Falcons' new 3-4 defense. The Falcons also signed inside linebacker Tim Dobbins last month to bring a veteran presence to that group.

Another year, another suspension for Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington. After missing four games last year for a substance abuse suspension, the league in May slapped Washington with a year-long ban for using marijuana. He can apply for reinstatement in 2015. The suspensions and other off-field issues have overshadowed Washington's talent – remember when he had nine sacks and 134 tackles in 2012? – and leaves the Cardinals once again scrambling to find a replacement.

The replacement: The Cardinals signed a pair of veterans, Larry Foote and Ernie Sims, this spring, and Foote is the most likely option to take over Washington's starting spot. But Foote, the longtime Pittsburgh Steeler, is 34, and though he brings valuable experience – and a long-track record of being a good presence in the locker room – he isn't a long-term solution for a team that clearly can't count on Washington any longer.